Buffalo Sabres forward Konsta Helenius is set to make his NHL debut on Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Helenius will not be limited to a fourth-line role, as he practiced Sunday alongside Noah Ostlund and Josh Doan before the team traveled to Raleigh.
Helenius, who was called up from Rochester last Thursday, has recorded 30 points in 34 games during his second season with the Amerks and was named an AHL All-Star. The Sabres see him as a player who can contribute beyond just scoring, noting his defensive skills and physical play.
“[Lindy] just said that I’ve been playing well down there, and if I get the chance, play my own game,” Helenius said.
Ruff added, “Another young prospect that we think really highly of, and he should be excited to get into the lineup. And we’ve seen him in exhibition, where he’s played pretty well.”
Helenius made an impression during preseason games by tallying a goal and two primary assists in four appearances. He also stood out in other events such as the Prospects Challenge and Calder Cup Playoffs.
The 19-year-old forward is known for his forechecking ability and for being able to frustrate opponents. Ruff commented on Helenius’ style: “He’s got some bite to his game. He’s not your prototypical ‘talented’ guy. He gets into people, and he’s got a little physicality to him at the same time. I haven’t seen him play a lot in Rochester this year, but just had good reports out of there where he’s played well.”
Ruff compared Helenius’ opportunity to those given previously to first-round picks Ostlund and Isak Rosen. Both started their NHL careers on lower lines but have since moved up; Ostlund has scored seven goals in 35 games this season while Rosen has three goals in 13 games with Rochester.
With Josh Norris sidelined week-to-week due to an upper body injury, Helenius will have a chance to contribute as Buffalo pushes for a playoff spot.
Sunday’s practice saw Norris absent along with Jordan Greenway, who followed an off-ice training plan ahead of Monday’s matinee game.
Goaltender Alex Lyon returned fully to practice after recovering from a lower-body injury sustained on December 29. Ruff stated that Lyon would come off injured reserve and play sometime this week. Before his injury, Lyon had won seven consecutive games with a .919 save percentage. In his absence, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis combined for a .900 save percentage since December 30—ranking ninth best in the league over that period—reflecting both their performance and improvements in team defense.
“Not giving up odd-man rushes, playing tight in the D-zone, not being careless – it all very greatly impacts the goalie’s life, so I have to give a lot of credit to the team,” Lyon said.
“… Obviously, super impressed, being able to watch for the last 10 days or whatever from the top and seeing how well we’ve been playing. Seeing how well UPL’s been playing, Colten’s been playing. Super happy for those guys.”
Coach Ruff noted that skating data showed Buffalo was not at its fastest during Saturday’s afternoon game against Minnesota. With two more early afternoon games coming up soon—including Monday’s match—the coaching staff adjusted Sunday’s practice routine accordingly.
“We spent some time today just trying to address – we’ve got a game tomorrow that’s early, we’ve got the game on [Long Island] coming up that’s early – what can we do differently that can have these guys ready for those two early afternoon games?,” Ruff said.
The Sabres face off against the Hurricanes at 1:30 p.m. Monday on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.
